As the temperatures start to rise and people in Idaho start to focus on their outdoor space, you may think nothing of watering your lawn. It is, after all, a fairly simple task. However, the way in which you water your lawn can have a dramatic impact on the number of pests you have in your yard, and in your home. Below, our pest control experts provide the necessary tips to keep your lawn as pest-free as possible.
Know the Type of Grass You Have
The type of grass you have determines how much water it needs, along with the type of soil and the current weather conditions. The U.S. National Arboretum provides information about the type of grass that grows in different geographical regions. Most lawns need about an inch of water every week, whether that comes from a sprinkler system, hose, or natural rainfall. After determining which type of grass you have, watering then becomes more effective and less likely to attract pests because it will prevent over-watering and under-watering.
Know when to Water
Knowing when to water your lawn can also help keep it healthy, and deter pests from entering your yard. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you should never water during the hottest part of the day, which is usually between 12:00 noon and 3:00 p.m. Watering during this time of day will only cause the water to evaporate more quickly, so your lawn may not get the full watering it needs. You also should not water in the evening hours, as it can encourage mildew, fungal diseases, and pests in the yard.
The best time to water the lawn is early in the morning, between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. At this time, there is not a lot of sun, heat, or wind so the grass will get the most benefit from watering in the morning. Additionally, there is still a lot of sunlight left in the day for the water to soak into the ground and not pool, which could attract pests.
Fix Grading Issues
If you have an uneven grade in your yard, it can cause water to puddle when you water your lawn. Those puddles provide the perfect place for mosquitoes to breed, as the insects need only a tablespoon or so of water to do so. Grading issues can also damage a lawn, so it is important to fix these problems.
To fix these issues, simply add or remove soil until the lawn is flat again. This is easier when the problems are relatively small, such as a small hole in the yard. For larger problems, you may also have to use drain tiles, which will direct the water to another area so your yard does not become a soggy mess.
Keep Soil Around Foundation Evenly Moist
When the soil around the foundation of a home becomes wet and then dries out, it shifts and expands, which can cause the foundation to crack. Pests such as termites, ants, mice, and more will use these cracks to make their way from your yard into your home.
To avoid this from happening, keep the soil around the foundation of the home evenly moist. Drip irrigation systems that are placed 8 to 18 inches away from the home are good ways to do this, as are soaker hoses that work in combination with a good drainage system. Also use timers to make sure you do not over-water the yard, which can lead to problems.
Water the Lawn, Not the Home
Regardless of the type of sprinkler system you use to water your lawn, make sure it is only watering the lawn and that it is not soaking any part of the home. If siding, patios, or porches are becoming wet when you water the lawn, it is not only a waste of water, but can attract pests, too. Certain pests, such as termites and carpenter ants are attracted to wet wood because it is easier for them to chew through.
Our Pest Control Company in Meridian Can Keep Pests Out of Your Yard
Keeping pests out of the yard is a problem that requires a multi-tiered solution. At Armis Pest Management, our Meridian pest control experts will provide all the sound advice you need. We will make recommendations on the products available to help with your problem as well as ways to make sure you are not inviting pests into your yard. Call us today at 208-650-7378 or contact us online to request a quote.